Mechanisms of sex determination and X-chromosome dosage compensation

Abnormalities in chromosome number have the potential to disrupt the balance of gene expression and thereby decrease organismal fitness and viability. Such abnormalities occur in most solid tumors and also cause severe developmental defects and spontaneous abortions. In contrast to the imbalances in chromosome dose that cause pathologies, the difference in X-chromosome dose used to determine sexual fate across diverse species is well tolerated. Dosage compensation mechanisms have evolved in such species to balance X-chromosome gene expression between the sexes, allowing them to tolerate the difference in X-chromosome dose. This review analyzes the chromosome counting mechanism that tallies X-chromosome number to determine sex (XO male and XX hermaphrodite) in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the associated dosage compensation mechanism that balances X-chromosome gene expression between the sexes. Dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying X-chromosome counting has revealed how small quantitative differences in intracellular signals can be translated into dramatically different fates. Dissecting the process of X-chromosome dosage compensation has revealed the interplay between chromatin modification and chromosome structure in regulating gene expression over vast chromosomal territories.

Epidendrum dayseae, a new species of Orchidaceae (Laeliinae) from northern Brazil

A new Epidendrum species of the Nocturnum group is proposed for the Brazilian central Amazon, near Manaus. It is described, illustrated, and compared with similar species. Epidendrum dayseae can be recognized by the pendent stem, the long, narrow leaves, a relatively long floral pedicel, and the lateral lobes of the lip smaller than the mid-lobe and deeply separated. The new species resembles E. longicolle, but is distinguished by the union between of the lateral and mid-lobes of the lip being under half the mid-lobe length. The new species is also compared with E. plurifolionocturnum. Its chromosome number is 2n = 4x = 80, with a band pattern similar to other species of the Nocturnum group.

Ploidy Level, Karyotype, and Genome Size of Bletilla Species (Orchidaceae) From China

Bletilla is an Orchidaceae genus with high medical value, including detumescence, antibacterial, and hemostasis. In this study, detailed estimates of ploidy level, karyotype, and genome size were first obtained, and a comprehensive cytological analysis was carried out to better understand the evolution of the genus. The karyotypes of Bletilla were mainly composed of metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes with lengths ranging from 1.25 to 4.93 μm. There was moderate cytological variation in Bletilla (chromosome number 2n = 32 to 76). Diploid with 2n = 34 and 2n = 36 was detected in Bletilla ochracea and Bletilla formosana, respectively, whereas diploid (2n = 32) was dominant in Bletilla striata, dysploidy (2n = 34, 2n = 36) and polyploid (2n = 48, 51, 64, 76) variations were also observed. Three species had a relatively symmetric karyotype, and which of B. ochracea was more asymmetry. The genome size (1C-values) varied from 2.94 pg (B. striata) to 3.33 pg (B. ochracea), of which B. ochracea was significantly larger than the others (P < 0.05). A positive correlation (P < 0.01) between 1Cx vs. haploid chromosome length (HCL) and asymmetry coefficient of karyotypes (AsK%) was observed.

Check-list of chromosome numbers of the family Hygromiidae (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora) with new data on Circassina frutis

Chromosome number data on the Hygromiidae (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora) are summarized and reviewed briefly in the context of the phylogeny of the family. In hygromiids, the haploid chromosome numbers range from 21 to 26. It is supposed that n = 21 is the ancestral chromosome number in the family. The modal haploid number for Hygromiidae is 23. Description of karyotype in terms of chromosome number and morphology of hygromiid land snail Circassina frutis is provided for the first time. The diploid chromosome number of this species is 2n = 46. The karyotype is symmetric and consists of 21 pairs of metacentric and 2 pairs of submetacentric chromosomes. The karyotype formula is as follows: 2n = 42m + 4sm (n = 21m + 2sm). The fundamental number (FN) is 92. Chromosomes range in length from 2.53 &mu;m for the smallest pair to 6.00 &mu;m for the largest pair. The total length of chromosomes in diploid complement (TCL) is 170.40 &plusmn; 3.22 &mu;m.

Karyotype and genome size variation in white-flowered Eranthis sect. Shibateranthis (Ranunculaceae)

Comparative karyomorphological analyses of six out of the eight white-flowered species of Eranthis sect. Shibateranthis have been carried out. All studied specimens of E. byunsanensis, E. lobulata, E. pinnatifida, and E. stellata had a somatic chromosome number 2n = 16 with basic chromosome number x = 8. On the contrary, E. tanhoensis and E. sibirica had a basic chromosome number x = 7. The specimens of E. tanhoensis were diploid with 2n = 14, while the specimens of E. sibirica were polyploid with 2n = 42. Monoploid chromosome sets of the investigated diploid species had 4–5 metacentric chromosomes and 2–4 submetacentric/subtelocentric/acrocentric chromosomes. The highest level of interchromosomal asymmetry, estimated via CVCL, was found in E. byunsanensis and E. pinnatifida. The highest levels of intrachromosomal asymmetry (MCA) and heterogeneity in centromere position (CVCI) were found in E. lobulata and E. byunsanensis, while E. sibirica had the most symmetric karyotype. A multivariate PCoA analysis of basic karyotype parameters (2n, x, THL, CVCL, MCA, and CVCI) highlighted no overlap among species accessions, which was also confirmed by LDA. The average absolute monoploid DNA content (1Cx) of the 23 investigated samples of six Eranthis species varied from 9.26 ± 0.25 pg in E. sibirica to 15.93 ± 0.32 pg in E. stellata. Overall karyological affinity was highlighted between E. lobulata and E. stellata, on one side, and between E. byunsanensis and E. pinnatifida, on the other side. Interestingly, there was no significant correlation between total haploid (monoploid) chromosome length (THL) and 1Cx values in these species.

First Report on Karyotypic, Morphometric and Meiotic Analysis of a Predatory Bombardier Beetle Pherosophus catoirai (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from Jammu region of Outer Himalayas, India

Chromosomal studies and manual karyotyping are the aged techniques for determining the identity of a species on evolutionary scale; however, these techniques are simple, reliable and inexpensive to authenticate the existence of a particular species. In the present work, the chromosome complement and meiotic processes of a predatory bombardier beetle Pherosophus catoirai were investigated. This species presented 2n=35 as diploid chromosome number and the chromosomal formula was found to be 12m+8sm+12st+X0. Sex mechanism was X0 type with metacentric X chromosome. Y chromosome was absent in this species. Karyotype revealed small chromosomes except X chromosome which is found to be largest in the spermatogonial metaphase stage. Meiotic stages were pachytene, diplotene, diakinesis and metaphase-I. Present study may find importance to analyse evolution of chromosomes in order Coleoptera particularly in family Carabidae.

The genome sequence of the lesser marbled fritillary, Brenthis ino, and evidence for a segregating neo-Z chromosome

The lesser marbled fritillary, Brenthis ino (Rottemburg, 1775), is a species of Palearctic butterfly. Male B. ino individuals have been reported to have between 12 and 14 pairs of chromosomes, a much reduced chromosome number than is typical in butterflies. Here we present a chromosome-level genome assembly for B. ino, as well as gene and transposable element annotations. The assembly is 411.8 Mb in span with contig and scaffold N50s of 9.6 and 29.5 Mb respectively. We also show evidence that the male individual from which we generated HiC data was heterozygous for a neo-Z chromosome, consistent with inheriting 14 chromosomes from one parent and 13 from the other. This genome assembly will be a valuable resource for studying chromosome evolution in Lepidoptera, as well as for comparative and population genomics more generally.

Additional documented chromosome number determinations in Paysonia (Brassicaceae)

Thirteen meiotic chromosome number determinations are reported for seven species of Paysonia O’Kane & Al-Shehbaz (Brassicaceae). Our counts are in agreement with previous published numbers and we make new chromosome number reports for five counties.

Chromosome Number, Ploidy Level, and Nuclear DNA Content in 23 Species of Echeveria (Crassulaceae)

Echeveria is a polyploid genus with a wide diversity of species and morphologies. The number of species registered for Echeveria is approximately 170; many of them are native to Mexico. This genus is of special interest in cytogenetic research because it has a variety of chromosome numbers and ploidy levels. Additionally, there are no studies concerning nuclear DNA content and the extent of endopolyploidy. This work aims to investigate the cytogenetic characteristics of 23 species of Echeveria collected in 9 states of Mexico, analyzing 2n chromosome numbers, ploidy level, nuclear DNA content, and endopolyploidy levels. Chromosome numbers were obtained from root tips. DNA content was obtained from the leaf parenchyma, which was processed according to the two-step protocol with Otto solutions and propidium iodide as fluorochrome, and then analyzed by flow cytometry. From the 23 species of Echeveria analyzed, 16 species lacked previous reports of 2n chromosome numbers. The 2n chromosome numbers found and analyzed in this research for Echeveria species ranged from 24 to 270. The range of 2C nuclear DNA amounts ranged from 1.26 pg in E. catorce to 7.70 pg in E. roseiflora, while the 1C values were 616 Mbp and 753 Mbp, respectively, for the same species. However, differences in the level of endopolyploidy nuclei were found, corresponding to 4 endocycles (8C, 16C, 32C and 64C) in E. olivacea, E. catorce, E. juarezensis and E. perezcalixii. In contrast, E. longiflora presented 3 endocycles (8C, 16C and 32C) and E. roseiflora presented 2 endocycles (8C and 16C). It has been suggested that polyploidization and diploidization processes, together with the presence of endopolyploidy, allowed Echeveria species to adapt and colonize new adverse environments.